We said: “Today we face up to another dark chapter in the history of Newcastle United, with relegation from the Premier League for the second time in eight seasons. Our proud football club has been shamefully mismanaged and the people in this great city have been terribly let down.

“To add to the agony, it was rivals Sunderland who drove home the final nail in our Premier League coffin, while saving themselves.

“There’s no argument that we have a deeply unpopular owner in Mike Ashley. He’s presided over arguably the darkest years in the club’s history and he’s certainly not without blame for this sorry affair.

Richard Hall commented: “Get out of toon you useless bloke. Why did you think the wally with the brolly was the perfect fit? Useless as you.”

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While Kelly Burton Wright typed: “Mr Charnley, get out of our club.”

But not everyone directed their anger at Charnley, with some readers blaming Ashley and even the players.

Darren Miller said: “The only way Ashley and co will leave is if people stop lining his pockets by going to the match week after week.”

Alan Kemp wrote: “Newcastle have themselves to blame another example last Saturday when they couldn’t beat Aston Villa, Benitez couldn’t even get them up for the game. The players deserve all they get as they are not good enough.”

Charnley released a statement to fans soon after the final whistle was blown on United’s season.

It included the lines: “We know that supporters want to know what the future holds and will want to hear more from us as soon as possible. The process of scrutinising what went wrong and planning for what is to come has already begun.

“Right now, of course, Rafa and the team must prepare for the final game of the season but after that, please rest assured we will communicate more fully with supporters.”